TOMATOES

On the journey to foodie heaven, I am compiling a list of my favourite foods. Tomatoes, once hated by myself, are right up there. Sundried, Cherry, Grape, Romano, Plum, Vine-Ripened, is your mouth watering yet???


Here's some things you might not have known about the health benefits of the humble tomato: 


-Tomatoes contain high levels of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that supports the immune system and helps maintain healthy skin and tissue lining.


-They are packed with antioxidant flavonoids and vitamin E, both of which are essential for heart health, and are a good source of potassium. 


-One medium-size tomato provides 50 per cent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C


-they contain no saturated fatty acids, are low in salt, starch and sugars, high in dietary fibre and have a low glycaemic index.


-Tomato consumption has been associated with decreased risk of breast cancer, head and neck cancers and might be strongly protective against neurodegenerative diseases

But aside from all that, tomatoes are the richest source of an exceptionally potent antioxidant which I have become obsessed with of late, called lycopene. Lycopene is found in fruits and vegetables with a deep red colour and it's sooooooooooo good for you. A single lycopene molecule can neutralise 13 free radicals which, if allowed to build up, can cause cell damage and trigger cancer - that's twice the free radical busting power of beta-carotene, another powerful antioxidant. To put it simply...chow down on things with lycopene in them, like: watermelon, grapefruit, papaya, goji berries, red peppers/capsicums, and of course, the fabulous tomato.




My favourite combinations of tomato are:
-on seeded bread with avocado and turkey bacon


-in a salad with basil and mozzarella


-fresh tomato soup with crusty parmesan rolls


-with melted cheddar on a toasted english muffin


-in a salad with steamed brocoli and wholegrain mustard


Enjoy.